#Education Cannot Wait #UNICEF #Central African Republic #Bangui

Urielle's Remarkable Story

Urielle, a 20-year-old girl from Bangui, Central African Republic, sits in a classroom, completely engrossed in her reading. Her fingers delicately trace the intricate patterns of braille dots on the paper before her. "I lost my sight when I was three years old, but that hasn’t stopped me. From a young age, my parents taught me to be independent and self-sufficient, to work hard and chase my dreams," she reflects.

Despite the many obstacles she has faced, Urielle has always received unwavering support from her parents and teachers. This encouragement, combined with her passion for learning and storytelling, has fueled her determination to shape her own future.

Since joining a Training Centre for Children with Vision Impairments supported by UNICEF in her hometown, Urielle, along with other visually impaired children and youth, is learning to read braille and access education, often for the very first time. This center is one of three funded by Education Cannot Wait (ECW) in the capital city of Bangui, established to provide tailored learning opportunities for children with visual impairments in the Central African Republic. These facilities not only help students develop essential braille and literacy skills but also aim to prepare them for eventual enrollment in regular schools.

Each morning, a special school tuk-tuk stops in front of Urielle’s house to take her to the training center. The courses are taught by visually impaired teachers, assisted by sighted educators, utilizing braille educational materials. Following the national education curriculum, it is here that Urielle has learned to read and write in braille. These vital skills have sparked a newfound passion within her. "I love sharing stories with people, especially about social issues. My favorite subject is social studies because I enjoy hearing how people around the world live, interact, and face challenges," she shares.

While Urielle is thriving in her education today, her journey has not been without difficulties, particularly in a society where stigma against the disabled still prevails. "Some neighbors and even some family members told me that I was useless, that I was more suited for household chores than school. But thanks to my parents' unconditional support, I learned to ignore those voices," she recalls.

Strongly aware of education's power to broaden her horizons and empower her to create the future she desires, Urielle states, "The more I learn, the more stories develop in my mind. That's why I am determined to become a journalist."

The training center also offers vocational courses to develop essential skills. Former students have utilized their newfound skills to gain employment, with some even entering public administration positions.

The Central African Republic is one of the most challenging places in the world to be a child, with conflicts, violence, displacement, and natural disasters severely impacting the nation. Years of instability have contributed to the collapse of already limited services, resulting in very limited or nonexistent access to education in many areas. Even where schools are open, they often lack qualified teachers, educational materials, and sturdy structures.

For individuals with disabilities like Urielle, the situation is even more daunting. Stigma and prejudice against children with special needs remain alarmingly common, often resulting in families hiding them away, denying them access to peers and the broader community, including schools. Fortunately, Urielle's parents recognized her infinite potential.

As a global fund for education in emergencies and prolonged crises created by the United Nations, ECW has supported partners like UNICEF in the Central African Republic since 2017, funding programs to increase access to quality education in protective learning environments, strengthen local and national education systems, support teachers, and provide targeted assistance to disabled children.

Today, Urielle is not only a brilliant student; she is also ambitious. "I want to be a Paralympic athlete,” she asserts. “I train in long-distance running three times a week!" Until that day comes, Urielle plans to continue learning and sharing stories to inspire those around her. “Telling stories is my passion. I know the road is long and I still have at least six years before university. Nevertheless, one day, I will have my own radio program!” she exclaims with a bright smile.

Her aspirations know no bounds, and her achievements testify to the incredible potential of all children when given the education, resources, and support they need to flourish.